Asbestos exposure poses a serious health and safety risk that must be addressed as soon as possible. An industrial hygiene consulting company will inspect your building to identify asbestos. The inspection may reveal that the asbestos needs to be removed or managed in-place. Any abatement contractors that are contracted to do asbestos removal work should be able to stand apart from the inspection firm.
A certified asbestos inspector must conduct an inspection on the site before any activity, including demolition or renovations, that may have an impact on suspect material. OSHA, the US EPA, many state regulations and some local codes require this inspection. An asbestos inspection company should have sufficient experience and licensing. The owner cannot claim damages for errors in judgement or professional opinions if the company does not have professional liability insurance.
There are different regulations that specify the number of samples to be taken from each material. It might be difficult to understand why one sample is required from each type. One simple analogy is the "chocolate chips cookie theory". You may eat a cookie, but not get a chocolate chip. This is due to the manufacturing process of asbestos-containing materials and limitations in analytical methods. It is crucial to have a qualified, independent and experienced inspection company.
On-site inspections can take several hours for many projects. Larger buildings may require multiple days. An inspector will need to have full access to all rooms and spaces in the building. Return visits may also be required. Standard laboratory analysis usually takes 3-10 days after the site work is complete. Rush or emergency turnaround times are available for significant premium fees.
A repair to sample areas is an area often overlooked in inspection plans. Small pieces of material need to be removed from buildings as part of the inspection. The sample usually contains 1/2 to 1 inch squares of material. Exterior sealants and roofing products can have aesthetic problems.
After the inspection, a thorough professional report must be prepared. Sometimes, asbestos removal may be necessary. However, it is possible to safely manage the material in its current condition. We will be discussing the various options available for asbestos removal and how to get proposals from qualified contractors.